Secondary Navigation

Main page Content

Science

Page Image

Image Caption

Page Content

Junior school

Junior Science prepares a student for life in our rapidly changing technological society. The "Greenhouse Effect", the ozone layer problem, nuclear waste, microwave ovens; the list goes on. We are bombarded by new technology. Science gives the tools to deal with it. Science is fun and practically based. We do experiments and explain the world around us. In Science, we build life skills.

Senior school

Biology

Course overview:

Knowledge of Biology is essential to the pursuit of many career paths including Nursing, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Optician, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Dietician, Chemist, Biochemist, and Pharmacist.

Course outline:

Year 11

Cells and diversity.

Human anatomy and physiology.

Microbiology and infectious disease.

Ecology.

Year 12

Genetics and molecular biology.

Extended experimental investigation (plant physiology).

Reproduction and biotechnology.

Origins and futures (human evolution).

Science 21

Course overview:

Science 21 is an interdisciplinary science that is designed that is designed for students who do not wish to specialise entirely in Physics, Chemistry or Biology. It can be taken successfully with one or more sciences. Science 21 covers a broad range of scientific disciplines within a contextual (real-life) setting; all of which relate to a university and/or vocational activity.

Course outline:

Year 11

Blood and guts - The history of medicine.

The hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy - space.

Spinning wheels - alternative energies.

Watery fowls - Currumbin Creek Wetlands.

Year 12

Softly, softly task force - forensic science.

Cool it! - global warming.

Lucy meets the Hobbit - fossils, DNA and human ancestors.

Greedy exploitations - environmental health in the developing world.

Chemistry

Course overview:

Senior Chemistry is often a prerequisite for many university courses like Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry. The Senior Chemistry course at Elanora State High School provides students with the required level of knowledge for these courses. Pathways available to students include entry to such university courses as Engineering, Chemistry and Pharmacy.

Course outline:

Year 11

The material world - an introduction to the world of Chemistry.

Water, a precious resource.

The chemistry of water and water treatment.

Redox reactions.

Year 12

Organic chemistry and molecular biology.

Wine, an artful process.

Gas laws, thermodynamics and equilibrium.

Poisonous materials.

Physics

Course overview:

Physics is the study of matter, forces, and energy. In Year 11 and 12 Physics, students will learn about these topics within the contexts outlined below. This “contextual approach” provides students with opportunities to learn concepts and approach the solving of Physics problems in a manner similar to that used by ‘real’ physicists. This involves research, modelling, and extended experimental investigations.